Clock-actuated electric control means



May 20, 1947. H. J. FowLER ACTUATED ELECTRIC CONTROL MEANS CLOCK- FiledJuly lO, 1944 @Hoc JAA May 20, 1947. H. J. FowLER CLOCK-ACTUATEDELECTRIC CONTROL MEANS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July l0, 1944 May 20,1947. H. J. FOWLER K 2,420,874

CLOCK-AGTUATED ELECTRIC CONTROL MEANS Filed July l0, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet5 ,III f 27 f@ fw 'I l.

Filed July lO, 1944 6 SheetsfShe-et 4 Il? IZ8 May 20, 1947. H. J.FowLl-:R 2,420,874

CLOCK-ACTUATED ELECTRIC CONTROL MEANS Filed July l0, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet5 @WML May 20z 1947.l H. J. FowLER 2,420,874

CLOCK-ACTUATED ELECTRIC CONTROL MEANS Filed July 10, '1944 6Sheets-Sheet 6 V lo?! f5.9 Jil 155 [619 156 l I x59 m05 155 'I 156 M7 'Ir ./52/9 *AM .22525 I La 14e f3?,

Patented May 20, 1947 2,420,874 CLOCK-ACTUATED ELECTRIC CONTROL MEANSHerman J. Fowler, Chicago, Ill. Application July 10, 1944, Serial No.544,160

Claims.

This invention relates to clock-actuated electric control means. Oneadaptation or exemplil'ication oi my invention is herein disclosed inits application to photographic apparatus for making periodictime-recorded exposures. More particularly, my invention is shown hereinas applied to and has among its objects to provide an automaticallyoperated time-controlled electric switch for controlling electricalapparatus, such as for example, photographic apparatus for automaticallyperiodically making a series 0f photographic exposures on a sensitive lmand simultaneously recording on the film, in connection with eachexposure, the time at which each such exposure was made.

The photographic apparatus and its construction and operation are fullydisclosed and described in Patent No. 2,353,154 which issued to me onJuly 11, 1944. The control apparatus of this application is divided fromthe application which matured into said patent and is claimed herein inconjunction with additional improved features of control.

Thus this application is in part a continuation of that which maturedinto the said patent.

Other apparatus, devices, and machines may be time-controlled by myinvention. Such other uses and adaptations will become readily apparentto those skilled in the art to which my invention relates upon perusalof the attached drawings and the following specifications.

My invention is readily applicable for periodically closing or openingan electric circuit for controlling the starting, stopping and periodicoperation of an apparatus, device or machine and for controlling theperiodic operations of electrical systems and apparatus and devices andvarious mechanical devices, machines and processes, such as, forexample, signal and alarm systems, solenoid controlled devices orcircuits, heating processes, mixing processes, baking ovens, andchemical processes.

Another feature of my invention resides .in the provision of improvedadjustable means for selectively varying the operative or inoperativetime periods of various electrical control circuits or mechanisms; suchperiods being relatively varied or uniform periods of time.

Other novel features of the invention reside in the noveltime-controlled mechanism employed in automatically opening or closingan electric circuit and time-controlling the period during which thecircuit is open or closed.

With the above and other objects in View, which will become readilyapparent from the perusal of the attached drawings in which I illustratecertain exemplications of my invention, my invention comprises novelfeatures of construction, combination of elements and ar rangement ofparts shown in preferred embodiments and exempliiications in theattached drawings, described in the following specication andparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like orcorresponding members or parts,

Fig. 1 is a side view of photographic apparatus embodying myclock-actuated electric control invention and shown in reduced scale;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the lm magazine;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. lshowing the main drive shaft, lm magazine and nlm drive mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 2 showing thenlm magazine, nlm drive mechanism, electric clock, shutter andshutteroperating mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5 showing theshutter, shutter drive, main drive shaft and clutch operating solenoid;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken on line '1 -1 of Fig. 4 showingportions of the electric drive motor, main drive shaft, the film tensionand take-up and the film-centering means for guiding the exposed iilmportion during winding onto its receiving spool;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged front view of the time recording means and theadjustable clock-actuated electric control means for periodicallycontrolling the recording of the time on each lm exposure;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section through the clockactuated electric controlmeans taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. l0 is a diagrammatic'illustration of the electrical system forcontrolling the periodic operation of the shutter and the periodicmovement of the film;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of modified clock-actuated electric controlmeans;

Fig. 12 is a front View of the clock-actuated electric control meansshown in Fig. 11 taken on line l2-l2 of Fig. 11 showing the masterswitch in cross-section;

Fig. 13 is a vertical section taken cn line |3--i3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a vertical section taken on line Ill-I4 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 illustrates a modification of the circuit shown in Fig. 10whereby the master switch is time-controlled; and

Fig. 16 illustrates an application of my invention to a time-controlledcircuit in an alarm systemA As shown in Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive of theattached drawings, my improved clock-actuated electric control means isshown as applied to photographic apparatus comprising a housing l5consisting of a central plate portion I6 forming the combined rear, top,front and bottom wall, a side Wall closure plate l1, connected by screwsI8 to the wall plate i6, and a closure cover plate i3 hingedlyconnected, by hinge 20, to the bottom portion of the wall plate i6 andheld in closed position by a suitable spring latch 2l.

The housing l is mounted on a suitable base 25.

As more clearly shown in Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive, I provide, within thehousing i5, a separate compartment 22 for the film 23 and film magazine24,

The compartment 22 is defined by the enclosing walls 26 and 21 and isclosed by the housing cover I9.

As more clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the magazine wall portions 28,29 and 30 are provided with a side closure wall 3l and a cover 32 whichis hingedly connected to the front wall portion 29 as at 33. The cover32 is held in closed position by any suitable latch 34 similar, forexample. to the latch 2i for the housing cover I3.

The unexposed fil-m reel 35 is provided with the film-feeding spool 36slidably mounted on and keyed to spindle 31, and the film-receivingspool 38 is slidably mounted on and keyed to the spindle 39 and bothspindles 31 and 39 are rotatably supported in bearings 40 secured inopenings within the magazine side wall 3l.

The film-receiving spool spindle 39 is provided with an extension 3S!Aof square cross-section for engagement within a square opening in theflanged central hub member 4l of the friction clutch sheave 42 which isrotatably supported en the flanged central member 4l.

The flanged central hub member 4l is formed with an integral stub shaftMA which is rotatably supported in the upstanding bracket bearing 4?.and held against longitudinal displacement by a set screw collar 44.

Between the sheave 42 and the bearing 43 is a plurality of resilientdished washers 45 and a flat faced adjustment washer 46, set-screwed tothe stub shaft MA, the washer 4'6 is adapted to be adjusted to cause theresilient washers 45 to press the sheave 42 into frictional engagementwith the flange of the central hub the hub member 4l and the spindle 33and its receiving spool 38 to rotate with the sheave 42. Such frictionaldrive permits the driving of the film-receiving` spool at variablespeeds conforming to the growing dia-meter of the film ree-led thereonand always insuring sufficient tension upon the film fed thereto.

The film-protecting and guiding means mountu'ithin the magazine 24consists of an arcuate plate 41 finished with a highly polished facey41A and pivotally mounted on the pivot pin 48.

The plate 41 is centrally disposed between a pair of arcuate side arms43 spaced to guide the marginal edges of the film therebetween.Intermediate the upper and lower ends of the plate 41, and intersectingthe plate 41, I provide at least two sets of spaced rollers 59, one orthe other of which sets of rollers is adapted to continuously ride onthe marginal portions of the film as it is wound upon the receivingspool 33 to thereby guide and slightly press the nlm during its windingmovement. The desired slight pressure is attained by means of a verylight coil spring 5l having one end secured to the plate 41 and itsopposite end anchored to the casing wall 23.

The film reel 35 is positioned as shown in Fig. 5 with the. film leadingend extended through slit apertures 5,2 and 53, made proof againstleakage of light by felt pads 54, and trained about rollers member 4| tocause 55 with its end secured in the slot 5t of the nlmreceiving spool38.

The driving mechanism includes a constant speed electric motor 51 havinga shaft 58 provided with a worm pinion 59 operatively in mesh with theworm gear 63 keyed to the main drive shaft El.

The main drive shaft 6l is supported spaced bearings 62 and E3 and hassecured thereto a bevel gear 64 which is in mesh with the bevel gear 35secured to a stub shaft 66 carried in the bearing 61.

A sheave 8S is secured to the stub shaft 6E and this sheave 68 by meansof the belt 69, trained about it and the sheave 42, imparts constantrotary motion, through its frictional engagement with its separate hubmember 4i and spindle 39, to the film-receiving spool 33.

The constantly rotating main drive shaft 6| also intermittenti impartsrotary motion to the intermittently operable driven shaft 10 which isemployed to cause intermittent rotations of the film-propelling drumsprocket 1l and the shutter 12, and these intermittent operations areattained by an intermittently actuable clutch of suitable design.

The shafts 6l and 10 are end aligned and, as shown in Fig. e. areprovided with complementary friction clutch elements 13 and 14 which areshown as of the serrated face type. The clutch element 13 is secured toone end of shaft 5I and the other clutch element 14 is slidably mountedon and keyed to one end of the intermittently operable driven shaft 1B.

The intermittently operable film and shutter drive shaft "til issupported in the spaced bearings 15 and 15. The main shutter drive gear11. is secured to th outer end of shaft 1D and a set collar 18 may beadded thereon adjacent the bearing 'i5 to retain the shaft 1Q againstlongitudinal shifting movement.

The front of the casing wall l is provided with suitable photographiclens 19 centered for alignment with the longitudinal center-line of thefilm 23.

The disk shutter 12 is secured. to a stub shaft 83 which is carried inbearing 3| and the shaft 3'? and shutter 12 rotated by the shutter drivegear 82 which is also secured to shaft 88. The shutter drive gear 82 isdriven by the main shutter drive gear 11 through an intermediate drivegear 83 which is mounted on the stub shaft 84 carried in the bearing 85.As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the bearings 13, 8l and 85 are shown integralwith their common supporting bracket 85 which is suitably secured bybolts 81 to the bottom of the housing I5.

The nlm-propelling sprocket 1l and the shutter 12 are both driven by theintermittently rotatable driven shaft 10. The sprocket 1I has two setsof circumferentially spaced teeth adapted to interengage with spacedmarginal rows of film perforations to thereby propel the film 23.

The sprocket 1I is xed to shaft 82 which is carried in the bearing 89supported in the Wall 26. The shaft S8 is provided with a square end toreceive thereon the Maltese cross element 30 of the well known Genevamovement which includes the disk operator 9| with a roller 92l there-The Geneva disk operator 9L is secured to shaft S3 which is carried inthe bearing 94.

The Geneva movement is arranged to intermittently rotate the film drivesprocket 1l through rotary motion of the shaft 93 by means of the bevelgear 95 which is fixed thereto and in mesh with the bevel gear 96 iixedto shaft 10.

The intermittent operation of the shaft 10 is attained through theclutch parts 13 and 14. As shown in Fig. 4 these clutch parts orelements are in disengaged position.

The clutch element 14 includes a cam disk 14D having a cam 14C and thiscam disk is made an integral part of the clutch element 14 by theconnecting hub 14H. A coil spring 91 mounted about shaft 10, between thehub 14H of the clutch element 14 and the bearing 15, tends to move theclutch element 14 into operative engagement with its cooperating clutchelement 13. As shown in Fig. 4, the element 14 is restrained ininoperative position or disengaged from element 13 after having beenshifted, against the pressure of spring 91, from its frictionalclutching engagement with element 13 by the engagement of its cam 14Cwith the plunger 98 of the solenoid |00.

When the solenoid I is deenergized its plunger 98 is in its lowermost ordropped position as shown in Fig. 4, and to insure the movement of thesolenoid plunger 98, into such lowered or de-clutched position, Iinterpose a light coil spring 99 between the solenoid H30 and a diskcollar |0| which is secured to the plunger 98.

The solenoid plunger 98 also carries a switchoperating arm |02 which issecured to the plunger 98 between the secured to the plunger 98.

The front wall 21 of the Iilm compartment 22 is provided with anaperture |04 which is aligned with the axis of the lens 19 and thisaperture is preferably provided with a frame |05 over which the i'llm 23rides while retained by the nlm-pressure plate |06 supported on thedepending leaf spring |01 pivotally supported at |08; the exposed loopportion of the film lead being trained over the over-head corner rollers|09, between the filmpressure plate |05 and the aperture frame |05 andaround the driving sprocket 1|,

My improved clock-actuated control means is exemplified in itsapplication to the time-recording mechanism which includes a suitableclock ..1

||0, preferably an electric clock, which is provided with a minute-handoperating gear and an hour-hand operating gear ||3.

The clock ||0 is secured to the :film-compartment front wall 21, as byscrews ||5, and carries a depending supporting plate I |5 which isprovided with a circular opening I |1 centralized with the center of theaperture |04.

The supporting plate H6 functions to support the time-recordingminute-hand-carrying-gear l ||2, which is in operative mesh with theclock minute-hand operating gear I, and the timerecordinghour-hand-carrying-gear ||4 which is in operative mesh with the clockhour-hand operating gear ||4.

As shown more clearly in Figs. 5, 8 and 9, the minute and hourhand-carrying-gears ||2 and ||4 consist of ring gears having outercircular toothed faces and which are rotatably supported on a pluralityof circumferentially spaced pairs of rollers ||9 supported on bolts orthe like which are securely mounted on the supporting plate ||6.

The aperture frame |05 carries an inserted plate of very thin metalrepresenting a clock dial and is provided with a central opening |2Ithrough which the photographic image is projected onto the lm. The areasurrounding the opening |2| is provided with suitable perforationsrepresenting hour-indicating numerals |20A and collar |0| and the collar|03 also u plain inner circular faces ||8 spaced circular perforationsrepresenting minute indications |208.

Cooperating with the hour and minute indications of the clock dial arean hour-indicating hand |22I and a minute-indicating hand |23.

The hour hand |22 is provided with a bent integral extension |22A forsecuring it to gear ||4 and the minute hand |23 is provided with a bentintegral extension |23A for securing it to the gear I2.

Obviously every exposure on the film 23 made through the clock dial |20will receive thereon a photographic silhouette of the clock dialtogether with silhouettes of the hour and minute hands therebyindicating the time at which such exposure was made. The photographedimage recorded on the film will appear within the area defined by theaperture |2| of the clock dial.

The minute-hand gear ||2 is provided with sixty equally spacedperforations |24 representing sixty minute spaces and the perforations|24 are adapted to receive therein switch-operating pins |2'5,

The pins |25 are adapted to operate the main control switch |26 by theirperiodic engagement with the switch arm |2|A and thus adjustably,selectively and intermittently record a series of photographic exposureson successive portions of the lm 23.

Since the minute-hand gear ||2 makes one revolution each hour, thespaced perforations |24 move into successive positions each minute oftime.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9 for illustrative purposes, six pins |25 areinserted in equally spaced openings |24 to thereby successively operatethe control switch |26 every ten minutes.

Obviously, successive lm exposures could be made at the rate of oneevery hour by inserting only one of the pins |25 in one of theperforations |24, or if twelve equally spaced pins were inserted anexposure would be made every five minutes, and if all sixty pins wereinserted one exposure would be made every minute.

In the eventI more rapid or frequent film exposures are desired, Iprovide an auxiliary switchoperating disc wheel |21 which is secured toone end of shaft |28 mounted in the bearing of an upstanding bracket|29. The other end of shaft |28 has secured thereto a small gear |30which is operatively in mesh with the minute-hand gear ||2.

The disc wheel |21 is provided with a plurality of equally spacedperforations or openings |24 adapted to receive one or more of thecontrol switch operating pins |25.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the ratio between the number of gear teeth onthe minute-hand gear I2 and those on the small gear |30 is 8 to 1,hence, the disc wheel |21 will make eight revolutions each hour or onecomplete revolution every seven and one-half minutes. If thirty pins |25were inserted in all of the thirty perforations in the disc wheel 21then one lm exposure would be made every f'teen seconds.

It will be understood that to secure such rapid successive exposures theswitch |26 would necessarily have to be moved into operative positionfor actuation by the pins of the disc wheel |21 and this is possiblesimply by moving the upstanding bracket I 3|, on which the switch |26 isadjustably mounted, into position for operative engagement by the pins|24 in the disc wheel |21.

The control switch |26 is vertically adjustably supported on its block|255D in an elongated bolt opening I3|A of the bracket |3| so that whenthe As shown in Fig. 1l), the electrical system inthe current supplylines l32A and 132B.

locking relay electromagnet l33 is conat one post with the power line132A by a A conductor 13'! connects the the electromagnet 33 with the ofthe main control switch 12S central operating arm lZA conto the powerline 132B. loclrine includes an armature 134 dapted to be released intoopen posiuit for the locking relay comprises the conductors 13e and13'1, main 526B and 126-- and the power The electrical system alsoincludes a resetting electromagnet 138, arma- 1353 into open position, astop 14! for the armature 32, a stop i4? for the armature 134 carried enthe armature 135i and an insulated switchg arm 343 ca fied on thearmature 139.

The circuit for the resetting relay includes a norms ly open switch 144which is adapted to be periodically closed by the switch-operating armiii-2 carried on the solenoid plunger 98. This resetting relay operatingswitch 144 is connected t one post by conductor 145 with the power ineSA and at its other post by another coni 143 which is connected at itsother end h one end of the armature V38, the other end ci tno armatureis connected by the conductor i: to the power line i323.

The circuit for the solenoid lll-J includes its connection at one postwith the power line 132A, a coi doctor 43 connecting the other post ofthe solenoid with one post oi the solenoid-operating switch 143.

The other post oi the solenoid-operating switch 49 being connected bythe conductor 50 to the main control switch arm 125C.

The normally open solenoid switch 149 is adapted to be periodicallyclosed by arm 143 of the resetting relay.

as shown in Fig. lo the circuits ol the electrical s I'stem show thelocking relay in energized condition in which the cooperating mechanicalel dents are maintained positioned as illustrated in Figs. 4i, 5, 6 and7 wherein the main control switch 1G is shown with the circuit openbetween the arms IEA and 125C and closed between the 525A and iZB tothus energize the locking relay armature l33. Although the resettingswitch arm 43 has closed the solenoid switch ille, the solenoid is notenergized because the solenoid circuit is open between the main controlswitch arms 26A and 125C, hence the driven shaft l and its operatingelements are in the condition shown .in Fig. fi, with the lm 23, itsdrive mechanism and the shutter all in stationary or inoperativeposition.

When the minute-hand gear l 12 (or disc wheel 12?) has moved tooperative position wherein one oi the pins has engaged and moved the armlZEA, of the main control switch 12B, into operas means illustrated tiveposition to close the circuit between the arms l2liA and 126C, thesolenoid circuit will thus be closed and will be retained closed untilthe arm lZEA has been released from its engaged position by the pin 125to move into normal position to close the circuit between arms 126A and126B.

When the solenoid circuit is closed by the pin as above stated, thesolenoid will be energized, the plunger 53 will be retracted into thesolenoid and thus release its contact with the cam 14C to release thespring-pressed cam disc '54D and thereby move the clutch elements 14 and"i3 into operative position to cause the rotation of the driven shaft10.

Shortly after he shaft l0 has been placed into rotation by theplunger-released movement of the cam disc 14D, the solenoid 10D willbecome decnergiaed by the closing of the resetting switch 142i, throughthe upward movement of the arm 50E secured to the solenoid plunger 98,to thereby cause energization of the electromagnet |38 and the openingof the circuit through switch |49. Although the solenoid is thereforeenergized a very short time, its release of the cam 14C, during briefperiod of energization, will of course permit the clutch elements 14 andl?. to move into operative position to cause a rotation of the shaft fora complete cycle of operation until the cam '54C again engages theplunger 98 of the deenergized solenoid whereupon the rotation of thedrive shaft '10 will be stopped until the solenoid is again energized bythe closing of the circuit between the arms 12SA and 126C by thesucceeding minute-hand gear pin after the interim closing of theresetting relay circuit which occurs when the switch arm 102 closes theresetting relay switch 144.

During the single rotation of the shaft 13, the iilm is first moved thelength o1 one exposure and arrested.

During the movement of the film, by the lmdriving sprocket 11 throughthe Geneva movement and gears 5 and SS, the shutter '12 is alsosimultaneously progressively rotated, but the eX- posure opening of theShutter does not enter its phase of operative movement to permit anexposure of the iilm until the iilm has been arre"ted and is instationary position.

This sequence of nlm and shutter movements is attained through theGeneva movement and the arrangement in the shutter-operating gear trainconsisting of the ears 1l, 8:3 and 82.

The apparatus is adapted to make photographic film exposures atirregularly spaced periods of time by simply arranging the spacing ofthe actuator pins 125 accordingly. As for example, five pins |25 mightbe adjacently mounted in the minute-hand gear 112 to provide fivesucceeding exposures taken one every minute, the next following pin 125could then be spaced for an eX- posure to be made in 7 minutes or 13minutes thereafter and other pins 125 spaced for exposures at varyingperiods of time within the hourly rotation of the gear 112.

The modified clock-actuated electric control in Figs. ll to 16 inclusiveis similar in basic operation to that above-described and illustrated inFigs, 8, 9 and l0, however. the modified form of my invention shown inFigs. 1l to 16 inclusive includes additional novel features, compactnessof design, increase' range oi operation, and flexibility for adaptationto various applications and uses.

Referring particularly to Figs. ll to i4 inclusive my improved electriccontrol means comprises any suitable clock mechanism such as theelectric clock I which is provided with telescoped pivot members |55A,|56A and |51A rotating with regularity of movement imparted by the clockmechanism; the pivot member |55A being representative of a clockhour-hand and making one revolution every twelve hours; the pivot member|56A being representative of a clock minute-hand and making onerevolution every hour; and the pivot member |51A representing a clocksecond-hand making one revolution every minute.

A second-hand disc |51 is rigidly secured to the pivot shaft |51A andthis second-hand disc therefore makes one complete revolution everyminute.

A minute-hand disc |56 is rigidly secured to the tubular pivot |56A andmakes one complete revolution every hour.

An hour-hand disc I 55 is rigidly secured to the tubular pivot |55A andmakes one complete revo lution every twelve hours.

Suitable spacing and securing collars |58 may be positioned on the pivotmembers between the discs.

The disc members |55, |56 and |51 are preferably made from insulatingmaterial such as Bakelite or other plastic material and are eachprovided with a plurality of transversely disposed perforations |59arranged circularly of each disc and adapted to receive thereinswitch-operating pms,

As preferably shown for illustrative purposes ln Fig. 12, the hour-handdisc |55 is provided with sixty equally spaced circularly arrangedperforations |59 and since this disc makes one revolution each twelvehours, these perforations 59 in disc |55 are spaced apart twelve minutesof time; the minute-hand disc |56 is provided with sixty equally spacedcircularly arranged perforations |59 and since this disc makes onerevolution every hour, these perforations |56 in disc |56 are spacedapart one minute of time; and the second-hand disc |51 is provided withtwelve equally spaced circularly arranged perforations |59 and sincethis disc makes one revolution every minute, these perforations |59 indisc |51 are spaced apart ve seconds of time.

It may now be assumed that the control means is adapted to actuate twoswitches, such as for example the circuit Control or operating switch|26 and a master switch designated by numeral |6I; the operating controlswitch |26 controlling the periodic operations of a machine, device,apparatus or process, and the master switch controlling the operativeand inoperative conditions of the control circuit of which the operatingswitch |26 is a part.

The operating switch |26 is formed with a contact arm |26A which isformed with three relatively laterally offset portions B, C and D asmore clearly shown in Fig. 11.

The hour-hand disc |55 is shown in Fig. 12 with two circularly equallyspaced switch-operating pins |6IJH inserted in diametrically oppositeperforations |59. During the rotation of the hour-hand disc |55 the pinsIGSH engage the contact arm portion B and lift thearm |26A to close thecircuit between the arms |25A and |26C and with only two pins |66Hinserted in the disc |55 the switch 26 will therefore close the circuitonce every six hours provided no operating pins are inserted in discs|56 and |51.

As shown in Fig. 12, the minute-hand disc |56 has inserted in it onlyone switch-operating pin |6||M which is adapted to engage the armportion C and lift the arm |26A to close the circuit between the arms|26A and |260 and with only one pin |60M inserted in the disc |56 theswitch 26 will therefore close the circuit once every hour provided nooperating pins are inserted in discs |55 and |51.

The second-hand `disc |51 is shown in Fig. 12 with six circularlyequally spaced switch-operating pins |66's inserted in alternateperforations |59 and these pins |66s are adapted to engage the armportion D and lift the arm |26A to close the circuit between the arms|26A and |26c once every ten seconds provided no operating pins areinserted in discs |55 and |56.

From the above examples of the actuation of the switch |26 by either ofthe discs |55, |56 or |51 it will be readily apparent a circuit may beclosed, or opened, through the switch |26 at selectively variable,regular or irregular periods of time through the insertion of one ormore switchoperating pins in either one, or two, or all three of thediscs |55, |56 and |51.

As above indicated any operating circuit may be, `and usually is,provided with a master switch, as for example the switch shown anddesignated by numeral |6| and the clock-actuated control includes meansfor automatically periodically closing and opening the master switch I6|at selectively variable, regularly o1 irregularly, spaced periods oftime and such means consists in providing one or more of the discs;preferably the hour-hand disc |55, or the minute-hand disc |56, with aplurality of equally spaced holes |56l drilled radially into theperipheral side of the disc and adapted to receive therein one or moreswitch-operating pins 60x which project radially outwardly from theperiphery of the disc to engage and actuate the switch |6I.

As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the hour-hand disc |55 is provided with oneof such switch-operating pins |60x and by provision of only one of suchpins |60x the switch |6| will therefore be actuated to closed circuitposition once every twelve hours. If the circuit shown Vin Fig. 10 weremodied as shown, in Fig. 15 to provide a time-controlled master switch|6I instead of a manually operable master switch as shown in Fig. 10,the photographic apparatus would be automatically operative'for a twelvehour time period and inoperative for twelve hours. During theinoperative period the motor 51 and the mechanism driven thereby wouldbe inoperative however the clock ||0 would continue its operation.

In Fig. 15, the motor 51 employed in the operation of the mechanism forthe photographic apparatus is shown interposed between the source ofcurrent conductors |32A and |323, however, the flow of the currentthrough the conductor |32A is adapted to be periodically interrupted bya step switch comprising a plurality of contacts |68 adapted to beengaged by a switch arm |61 of electrically conductive materialoperatively connected to but insulated from a ratchet wheel |66 which isperiodically successively partially rotatable by a pawl |65 mounted on apivoted armature |64 of an electromagnet |63 adapted to be periodicallyenergized by the closing of the circuit through the master switch |6|.The operation is such that each successive energization of theelectromagnet moves the switch arm |67 alternately into engagement witha contact |68 and' then into a position between two of the contacts |68.

In Fig.-15 I showthe adaptation of my improved control to the circuitshown in Fig. 10,

The entire control illustrated in Figs. l1 to 14 inclusive is showndiagrammatically in Fig. 15 and is designated by numeral |62. The masterswitch |6| is interposed between the current conductors 132A and |32B`and by actuation of the pin |60X is adapted to energize theelectromagnet |63 to thereby attract and move its armature |64 and causethe pawl |65 to partially rotate the ratchet ||6 a sucient number ofdegrees to cause a like partial rotation of a step-switch arm |61 fromone of its contacts |68 to a position between two adjacent contacts |68to thus break the circuit through the conductor |32A to stop the motor51 and render the entire circuit inoperative by the control |62 untilthe master switch |6| is again moved by the control |62 to energize theelectromagnet |63 and thus move arm |61 into contact with the succeedingcontact |68 whereupon the entire circuit will be reestablished intooperative condition.

In Fig. 16 I show, for illustrative purposes, an adaptation of myimproved clock-actuated electric control for automatically operating analarm system including an electrically operated bell |69 and an electriclight bulb |16. The bell |69 and light bulb |19 are adapted to beperiodically energized when the circuit is closed through the switch|261, which is actuable by the control |62, as well as through the stepswitch arm |61 and one of the contacts |68.

While I have illustrated and described the adaptation of my improvedclock-actuated electric control means to automatically operablephotographic apparatus and to an alarm system, my invention is, asherein-above set forth, not limited to such illustrated uses, since themechanism shown for moving the nlm strip may readily be adapted tomoving any other strip of material through heating ovens or chemicalprocessing vats. For example, the mechanism and control may moveadjacent strips of Celluloid or other plastic material and paper througha pair of opposed rolls positioned in a, heated chamber whereby suchstrips of material are simultaneously heated and by pressure of therolls slightly compressed and bound together to form a laminated stripof several different materials.

It is obvious that the illustrated mechanism and control could readilybe adapted to periodically move the photographic nlm strip through a nlmdeveloping solution, or after such film has been developed, iixed anddried, such illustrated mechanism and control could readily be adaptedto automatically periodically move the photographic film throughelectrically lighted printing apparatus for making a continuous strip ofpositive photographic prints therefrom.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications in the constructionand arrangement ci the various parts, members and elements may readilybe made by those skilled in the art to which my invention relates uponperusal of the attached drawings and the above speciications, hence I donot wish to be understood as limiting myself to the particularconstruction and arrangement shown herein for purposes of illustratingmy invention which is particularly defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In clock-actuated electric control means for apparatus adapted forperiodically moving a strip of material, the combination of motor-drivenmechanism adapted for periodically moving the strip, and electricalcontrol means for controlling the periodic operation of saidmotor-driven mechanism including selectively adjustable clockactuatedmeans for automatically actuating said electrical control means atselectively variable predetermined periods of time.

2. In clock-actuated electric control means as set forth in claim 1,said motor-driven mechanism including solenoid-operated switch andcamactuated clutch means time-controlled by said clock-actuated meansand actuated by said electrical control means at selectivelypredetermined intervals of time.

3. Clock-actuated control means for an electric circuit including asingle switch for said cir-- cuit, a clock mechanism, a plurality ofconcentrically mounted rotatable discs driven by said clock mechanism atrelatively different speeds, said discs each having a plurality ofcircularlv spaced openings therein, and at least one pin removablyinserted in said openings of either one or more of said discs, said pinor pins being adapted to actuate said switch to periodically, atpredetermined intervals of time, change the operative condition of saidcircuit.

4. Clock-actuated control means for an electric circuit includingelectrically operable means operatively controlled by said circuit and aswitch in said circuit controlling the energization of said electricallyoperable means, said control means including a clock mechanism,telescoped members driven by said clock mechanism at relativelydifferent speeds, a rotatable disc secured to each telescoped member,said discs being rotatable at relatively different speeds and beingconcentrically mounted on said telescoped members and each of said discshaving a plurality of circularly equally spaced openings therein,adapted to receive switch-operating pins removably inserted in saidopenings of one or more or all of said rotatable discs to actuate saidswitch to periodically, at predetermined intervals of time, control theenergization of said electrically operable means.

5. In clock-actuated control means as set forth in claim 4, saidopenings being disposed transversely of said discs, and including atleast one of said discs having additional circularly spaced openingsdisposed radially thereof, an additional master switch for said circuit,an electromagnetically 'operable step switch in said circuit foralternately controlling the energization and deenergization of saidcircuit, and one or more switch-operating pins in said radially disposedopenings in at least one of said discs whereby said master switch isactuable to actuate said step switch to alternately energize anddeenergize said circuit at predetermined intervals of time, said controlmeans being inoperative to energize said electrically operable meanswhen the circuit is open through said step switch.

HERMAN J. FOWLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,796,906` Zimmer Mar. 17, 19312,290,626 Bosomworth July 2l, 1942 2,069,876 Dorsett Feb. 19, 19371,865,604 Yarnall July 5, 1932 2,254,795 Daniels Sept. 2, 1941 2,318,969Reynolds May l1, 1943 349,605 Reams Sept. 21, 1886 843,621 Mclntire Feb.12, 1907

